Steam heating system



Feb. 12, 1935. E. A, MURRAY 1,991,026

STEAM HEATING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l j@ By QI;

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attorney ric. Nexen der Hurra N V ENTQR.

Feb. 12, :41935. E, A, MURRAY STEAM HEATING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 8, 1935 Feb. 12, 19735. p; A MURRAY STEAM HEATING SYSTEM Filed Feb'. 8, 1933 5 sheets-sheet 5 Em. Nexonder Murmg I INVENTR L www Patented` Feb. 12, 1935 *rfU-NITED:STATES.

jl e I STEAM :mamme-SYSTEM ll i Eric Alexander Murray,iWest`I`runswick,:

l A Victoria,Australia 1 Application February s, 1933,seria1 No.1-655,vc3= j )hln Australiarebruaryio, 1932. w i

f f "1o olaimsv.g"(cl.122,-`456)j This. invention relatesto heatingl systemsin whichjsteamfrom a `boilerfis passed throughfap' plianc'esV used in various` manufacturing, cooking and"heating installations, and in which con'` collected andv returned to the boiler;

` i 4"5 derisedfsteam (hereinafter called condensate); is

r LIIhe rpresent inventionvrelates particularly to apparatus` in Whichbondensate. gravitates `to a lowersumpfrom which itis transferred to an upper sump, and' inwhich when a predetermined lqu"a .ntity. of condensate is collected in the [upper sump', steam from"` the" boiler is admitted'thereto untilf pressure lin the. boiler and `the upper sump equalizeY allowingcondensate `toyflovv from Vthe invention includes improved valve lde-l vices'to'control the passage of steam from the boiler totheupper sump to equalize pressures andallow condensate to vflow from `thesumpftqz; i

. the boiler; improved check valve devices to` con? trol" outlet of'steam fromthe upper sump after the uppersump is emptied; an improved relay valve-td govern operation of the controlvalve; impr' ed breakgvalve devices whichoperate to reduce ',pressurein the upper sump when' such pressure rises to suchf an .extent that theiunc- :tioning'y oif the :apparatus may be, impaired;

vmeans for transfer of liquid from anv open lower sumpto 'theupper sump; amodied combined steam controlV and relayy` valve: andan improved check` valve for use' witngsaid combined l steam anizlflrelay` valve. ,1

In forder thatthis intention may 'bef'mor 4clearly understood "it will now be`desc`rbe`d`with reference to I,theaccompanying drawings.` Itis 'to be understood that the illustrations are by wayotexample only and may .be` amplified or modified by those skilled in `the art Without departing 'Vfrom'the spirit oithelinvention".V f Inthe drawngsif.`

having a` closed lower sump.

'1 ig.*6 is a central 'verticalsection'l of the relay "Fig, 711s Va central longitudinal sectionof part oi the steam controlcheck valves and auxiliary .'valve devices in Fig; y Y

section of combined steam 'Fig.j 18 is y'a .vertical ig. 2 is a similar viewof apparatus having j *Alsteam outlet pip trolled byfbalanced-fclieck valves 41. A rdiacontrol and relay valve `mechanisms and modifiedcheck valve mechanism. l i Q' Fig. 9i`s`a diagram oftmodifiedapparatus. Fig. Vil() is va'central` section "of the control and check valvedevicesin/Fig.,9.

size from y which steam is conveyedthrough a pipe suchas "125 to a heatingV system which may y be according to] the*v requirements of the user. From the .heating systemysteam and condensate is returnedfbyalpipe 13 toda closedlower sump 14 y(Fig. 1)4 or'toyanf-open` lower sump- 15 [(Fig.

ll'represents a boiler of any suitable typeand PAT f 2)` `from which itis'transferredV through a pipe 16" havingv anonreturn valve 17, te an upper sump l8r llllhen high temperature condensate is being collectedit is `advantageous. tof distribute the condensate 'sump=18' by meansV of a spray 19; A condensate return `'pipe -20 vhaving'anon return valve 21 `connect`s-sump 18 to boiler 11. Sump 18 is connected to' Vthe maintsteam supply by apipe 22, the ow. of steambeing controllediby` a pair of valvesV 23 which are partly vbalanced relatively to l thesteam;` `pressur'e. one valve beingslightly f larger than' the other so^that theyv are normallyT inuencedto- Wardf the open position buty are readily movable 2 A to the closed position. Valves 23 are normally heldclsed by pressurejon 'a diaphragm 24 in a casing'25.l This diaphragm may Voperated byl any suitable medium such as steam, lcoinpressed air, or- Water;l and in thea arrangement 5,.

illustrated the diaphragm` is operatedrbyy `steam which passes through! a'` small Apipe26. con,- ne'cted towpipe 22. A control cock 2'?v on pipe v26 enables the pressure onfdiaphragmal Vto be accurately regulated. i A

Valves 23 Vare `on-adstem 28 which is adapted to-be pressed 4bygbut'is separate froina stem 29cm` diaphragm 24.` There isagstrong spring y 40 head-31f which is pressed by a 5 `about stem 29W At the-otherfside oflvalves -23 stem 28 hasv a spring 32.`

*The diaphragmchamber 23 is` connectedby a` pipe 33 tofthev casing 34.1y of partiallyf balanced relay valves"35 `which are .s'oproportioned that they are normally` closed .by pressure of the mee dium which operates diaphragm 124 but `are adapted to be' readily `openedj byfloat :operated means to provide an unrestrictedpassage' to atmosphere through outlet:36 to relieve `the pressure on the diaphragm24., l

To 'operate therelay valve 35, lany suitable l 1 means may be used. As illustrated v:in Figs.V 1,;

2, and 9=sump 18'-c`ontains a float37' the arm 38 of. which is connectedby known lostmotion devices to oneiendflofjastem `39v the` other end of which, enters lthe-'valve casing. and terminates (herein called highpressure side) is connected phragm 42 in casing 25 is adapted to press out- Wardlyagainst the pressure of a spring 43 and its stem44 is separate from but is adaptedto press on "the stem 45 'of valves 41and` to nor-'- mally hold them open against the pressure `of a spring 46. The arrangement is such that wheny Vpressure on diaphragms 24 and 42 is released-V valves 23 open and valves 41 are closed.

Whena closed lower sump is employed,"-piper v49 is connected to a pressure reduction `unit 47 from which a pipe 48, containing a non-return valve 49, extends to the factory return (line 13.;

anextent that the efliciency of the apparatusv maybe impaired.

Outlet 50 contains a valve 51 from vwhich a stem 52y extends to a diaphragm v53 ina casing The space at rone side of diaphragm 53 to pipe 22 by a .pipe 55 and the Vspace at the other side ofjdiaphragm 50 (herein calledrthe low pressure side) is` connected by a pipe 56 to pipe 40 on the outside of the check valves 41.

At the low pressure side yof diaphragm 53 is a spring 57 the pressure of which isI adjustablebyl suitable means such as screw devices 58. When the pressure in the sump 18 (and so in pipe 40) rises abovea predetermined limit, that pressure, assisted by spring57, overcomes the steam pressure at the high pressure side of diaphragm 3 and opens valve 51. o

When an vopen lower sump is employed (Fig. 2) head 31 isformed to constitute a valve 59, whereby when valves 23 are closed, steam is allowed to by-pass through a pipe 60 to a steam vejector k61 in pipe 16,-to lift condensate from sump 15 to sump 18` (Fig.` 9).

AWhenthe main steam and relay valves are combinedKFig. 8) the valves'23 are carried by a tubular stem .62 connected to a diaphragm 63. Extending through stem 62 is a pipe 64 the inner end of which, is adapted to be closed -by a relay valve y65 on a slidable stem 66. Valve 65 is controlled by means of an angular Yextension 67 voniio'at'arm 38. The spaceat one side of the diaphragm 63 is open towmain'steam pressure 'througha passage 68 and aY pipe'69 having a control cock 70. `The space at theother side of diaphragm 63 lis connected by a passage 71 to a chamber 72 at the outlet side of valves 23.v A check valve 73 is controlled' by a diaphragm=74- This diaphragm is operated to` open the valve by steampressure through aconnection 75 to pipe 69, andk is influenced toward closed position by a spring 76. I

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 9 rand 19 thevalves 23 are controlled by a diaphragm 24 anda spring 32 asbefore described, butvalve 59 functions as a checkk valve .so that when valves 23 are closed, steam passes from the sump 18 through a pipe 77 to the factory line 13, nonreturn valves 78 and 79 being provided to prevent back pressure.

In operation, referring particularly to Fig. 1 and Figs. 3 to 6, condensate flows from the factory line 13 to sump 15 andis forced through When condensate rises to a predetermined levelin sump 18 `float 37, by means of its arm 38, operates stem 39 1 pressure in boiler 11.

to open relay valves 35 allowing steam from diaphragm casing to escape to atmosphere and reducesthe pressure on'diaphra'gins 24'and 42. As 'soon as the pressure fbetween these dia'- phragms falls suiciently springs and 43 Apress the diaphragms toward each other, releasing-the pressure on the valve stems 29 and 45, uallow'i'ngvalves 23 to be opened by spring 32 and Avalves-41 to be closed by spring 46. Steam will then ow from pipe 22 to sump 18 untilr Ythe pressure in the sump equalizes the As soon as these pressures equalize, condensate will flow by gravity from sump 18 through pipe 20 past non-return valve21 to boiler 11.. As the level of the condensate in sump 18 falls,'ball,37"also` falls, but by reasonof the `lost motion' devices'theball arm 36 has freedom of movement until the sump is empty or until'condensate Vtherein falls to a erted on diaphragms 24V and 42, closing valves 23 and" openingA valves 41. `The opening of valves 41 allows steam'to'escape from the sump 18 through pipe 40 andpressure reduction unit 47`the'nce back to factory return line13. When pressure in sump 1 8dropssufliciently the appa-f ratus will again functionto vfeed condensate'to thesump. f

If, when',valvesv 41 open, the pressure in the sump 18 and so in pipe 40 rises' sufficiently to renderthe apparatus ineicient, causing condensate to bank up in the factory return line 13, then such pressure aided by thepressure of springs 57|will overcome the pressure of steam on diaphragm 53 and open valve; 51, allowing air and steamto escape fromY sump 18 'to atmosphere and' causingthe pressure in the sump Vtoj'drop; As soon as the 'pressure in sump 18 falls suiciently steam pressure again operates diaphragm V53 to close 'valve 51 Vand the appa-'- ratus resumes its normal functioning. Referring tolfFig. 2 as the lower sump 15 Vis open to atmosphere the pressure in sump v 18 cannot' 'rise suiliciently to impair .the efficiency of the apparatusand the break vvalve devices '51 to 58Xand pressure reduction unit 47 are not Y necessary'. In this ca's'e theapparatus functions as before described but when valves 23 A`a re"closed, valve 59 is open andlsteam by-passe-s from pipe 122 to pipe 60 operating ejector 61 'to lift condensate from sump" 15 through pipe v16 to the sump 18.

In the arrangement shown in Figs.` 9 and 10 condensate ows directly to Asump 18. Valves 23 and function as before described but when valves 23 are closed and valve 59 Ais open, steam may pass from the sump throughpipef 77 past lis so small relatively to the pipe lsystem that ates diaphragms 63 and 74, closing vvalves'23 and opening valve '73. As soon as valve 65 is opened by the connections to the iioat arm,

steam escapes through tube 64 to atmosphere relieving .the pressure on` diaphragms 63 and '74, allowing valves 23 to be partially opened by steam pressure. and valve 73 to close. As steam passes through valves 23some of it iinds its way through chamber "Z2 and passage 71 to the other side of diaphragm 63 and operates it to move valves 23 to the fullyvopen position. When the float falls, arm 38 and extension 67 operate to close relay valve 65` after Awhich valve `'I3 is opened by steamlpressure and pressure on `dia-` phragm63 closes valves 23. l i

What I claim is: l. In steamheating systems, fa boiler, means to convey steam through a heating system, a`

sump, means to convey condensate from said system to saidsump, `a steam connection between the boiler and the sump, a pipe connecting `the sump and the boiler, control valve means in the said steam connection, a diaphragm arranged to be operated by fluid pressure to close the control valve, means to release said fluid pressure when the liquid in the sump risesto va predetermined level,v and spring meansarranged to open said valve when the pressure on the diaphragm is released.

'2. In steam heating systems as in claim 1 an outlet from the sump, a valve to control said l outlet and a diaphragm adapted to be operated simultaneously with the diaphragm of the control valve devices, to open said valve when the controlvalvelis closed, the said outlet being con` nected to a pressure reduction unit which is in 'turn connected to a closedsurnp.

3. In steam heating systems a boiler, a sump,

`means to convey condensate to said sump, a f condensate return connection between the sump "and the boiler, a steam: supply connection between the boiler and the sump, a control valve in said supply connection, andA a relay valve to govern the operation of; said control valve, the

said relay valve being partially balanced relatively to pressure and being pressed toward closed position by such pressure.

4. In steam heating systems a boiler, an upper sump, meansto convey condensate to said sump,

a condensate4 return connection` between the sump and the boiler, a steam `supply connection `between the boiler and the sump, a control valve in saidsteam supply connection, an open lower sump, a connection from said lower sump to said` upper sump, aniejectorin the Ylast mentionedl connection and valve means whereby, when the control valve is closed, steam kis directedto the' ejector to cause condensate to be fed to the upper sump.

5. In steam heating systems, asump, means to 'convey condensate from the sump to a boiler,

and a break valve arranged to be operated when the pressure in the sump rises above a predetermined limit to allow steam` and airto escape from the sump until the pressure falls below said limit, a diaphragm to control the break valve, said `diaphragm being connected at one side to a steam supply `and at the other side being pressed by a spring, the spring pressed side being `also, connected to the said sump when the latter is not connected to the steam supply.

6. In steam heating systems a condensate receiving sump, a boiler. to which condensateV passes from the sump when pressures in the sump and the boiler are equalized, means to control admission of steam to the sump,` said means including a pair' *ofV partially balanced `valves normally influenced toward open position and mounted on a slidable hollow spindle one end of which is connected to a diaphragm, a fixed v hollow member passing through said spindle and terminating in aspaceat, one side of the diaphragm, a relay valve adapted to co-operate with a seating` on the end of the ixed hollow member, means to control said relay valve, meansV whereby when the relay valve is closed steam `is admitted toone side of said diaphragm to cause the control valves to close and further means wherebywhen the relay valve is opened steam is admitted to the other side of said diaphragm to cause the control valves to open.

to convey steam through ay heatingvsystem, a sump, means to convey condensate' ,from said system to said sump, asteam connectonbetween the boiler and the sump, a pipe connecting the sump `and the boiler, control valve means in the steam connection, said means comprising a pair of valves one of which is larger than the other,

the said valves being so arranged that 'they' are inuenced by steam' pressure toward the open,

position, a diaphragm arranged to be `operated `by fluid pressure` to close the control valve,

means to release said iiuid pressure, when the liquid in ,thesump rises to a predetermined level, and spring means arranged to open said valve when the pressure on the diaphragm .is released. Y i y 8. In steam heating systems, a boiler, means `to convey steam through a `heating system, a sump, means to convey condensate from said system to said sump, a steamconnection between theboiler and the sump, a pipe connecting the sump and the boiler, control valve means in the steam connection, a diaphragm adapted to be operated by iiuid'pressure to close the control valve, means to release said pressure when the liquid in the sump rises to apredetermined level,`a stem extending from the control valve,

a stem extending from the diaphragm toward 'the' control valve stem, a spring which when pressure on'fthe diaphragm is released-presses the diaphragm stem away from the control valve stemand a spring t o open the control valve when its stern is freed.

9. In steam heating systems, a boiler,a sump,

`means to convey condensate from the sump to the boiler, a break valve adapted to be operated when the pressure Vin the sump rises above a predetermined `limit to allow steam and air to rescape from the sump until the pressure falls below said limit,v a diaphragm to control the one side to a steam supply and at the other side being pressed `by -a spring, the spring pressed side being also connected to the said sump when` the latter is not connected to steam supply.

10. In steam heating systemsias in claim 6,

ERIC ALEXANDER MURRAY.

[break valve,` said diaphragm being connected at j l5 7. In steam heating systems, a boiler, means i 

